So, i often kill my battery by leaving my lights on. I carry one of those quick jump starters in the back for this reason. I have had to jump the car probably 20 times this year. Well its getting colder and the battery has been getting harder to jump. So today i took it to Sears Auto to get a new battery. I left my number and they would call when ready. Me and the kids walk over to the mall and await the call.

About an hour later i get a call from the garage saying its not the battery but the alternator and will be $700 instead of $150... I tell them i won't be getting the alternator fixed there and i'll be by to get the car. The mechanic on the phone says, 'the bad alternator would ruin the new battery so we won't put it in'. cool.

So we go to get the car and the guy at the register is like, 'That'll be $150'...

I said, 'Oh, you put the battery in? i thought the mechanic said it would ruin the battery?

'well, it will eventually'

'is there a warranty?'

'yup, 2 years'

'ok then'

from behind the register, another employee quips up, 'make sure you put in the notes that he refused the alternator'

'will that revoke my warranty?'

'yes'

'well, then take it out and put in my old battery'

'we can't'

'you must'

'we can't'

'o.k. bye'

I walked outside buckled the kids in and drove away. i ignored their 1st call and the voice mail said if i didn't come back and pay then they'd call the cops...

10 minutes later i get a call from the Burlington Police department saying i had to come down and pay or they'd press charges and i'd have to go to court and pay a bunch of fees and blah blah blah

The cop wanted me to pay over the phone but i refused and said i'd come back and deal with them. after arguing with the cop and manager for a few minutes i said, 'look, take the battery out and put my old one in. or, i'll pay whatever the cop says i have to, then i'll sue you and trash you on social media etc.'

The cop then talked to the manager separately. When he came back, he said they agreed to take $50 off if i would pay

i felt bad busting the cops balls on thanksgiving so i agreed to pay the discounted price for the new battery and was on my way.

I think i should have stuck to my guns though. The cop said at one point, 'since you've returned with the merchandise, it's no longer a criminal matter'...